LaDainian Tomlinson ran over, around and through the Bills in Buffalo last season. Kevin Hoffman/US Presswire

In the previous four meetings, the Jets rushed for a mind-blowing 1,116 yards, an average of 279 per game -- 22 percent of their rushing total over the previous two seasons.

And they don't intend to let up Sunday when they meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

"We feel like nothing's going to change," left guard Matt Slauson said Wednesday. "We're confident we can run against anyone."

That's interesting, because until their last game, against the San Diego Chargers, the Jets' running game deserved milk-carton status. They were outrushed in the first six games before producing a season-high 162 yards in the 27-21 win over the Chargers.

The Bills (5-2) added some bite to their toothless run defense, signing former Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett and drafting lineman Marcell Dareus with the third overall pick. But it's still a weakness, as they're allowing 4.9 yards per carry. They miss nose tackle Kyle Williams, who's expected to miss his third straight game with a foot injury.

"We feel like we have a better chance to play run defense this year," Bills coach Chan Gailey said, "but we'll find out Sunday."

In the first meeting last season, the Jets gashed the Bills with misdirection plays -- about eight to 10 successful runs, according to Slauson. Tomlinson delivered a vintage performance, circa 2006, rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns.

Obviously, the Bills will be prepared for misdirection, meaning it's up to the Jets to counter. Then again, why mess with a good thing?

Against the Chargers, the Jets threw a changeup, using fewer zone-schemed runs than they had in previous weeks. They went man-to-man, a north-south approach that featured double-team blocking. Clearly, that seemed to energize their dormant rushing attack.

Center Nick Mangold also is getting healthier, and that, too, has helped. He missed Weeks 3 and 4 because of a high-ankle sprain, and now -- after the bye -- he's close to 100 percent. He practiced on a Wednesday for the first time since the injury.

Few things hurt a team's pride more than being unable to stop another team from running the ball, which means the revitalized Bills -- tied with the New England Patriots atop the AFC East -- will be extra juiced for this weekend.